System of and apparatus for observation and for range and position finding



Oct. 6, 1936. R. HfsoMERs ET AL 2,056,215

SYSTEM 0F AND APPARATUS FOR OBSERVATION AND FOR RANGE AND PSITIONFINDING Filed No. 21, 1934 Ll amas' 1.1. Guion flames, E.. Karnes Attnrney Patented Oct. 6, 1936 SYSTEM OF AND APPARATUS FOR OBSER- VATION AND FOR RANGE AND POSITION FINDING Richard H. Somers, United States Army, Mickleton, N. J., James L. Guion, United States Army, Kansas City, Mo., and James C. Karnes, Buffalo, N. Y.

Application November 21, 1934, serial No. '154,092

z claims. (ci. 117-351) (Granted meer` the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, Without the payment to us of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to a system of and apparatus for observation and for range and position iinding.

In lire control systems for heavy artillery it is customary to observe the target from opposite ends of a base line and to thereby obtain data which is used in determining the range and bearing of the target With respect to a gun station. Generally there are a number of possible targets in the field of view and the observers at the base end stations frequently sight on different objects with the result that the data calculated from their tion of the object.

A practical embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the system of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a similar view of a part of the system and showing the apparatus in plan.

Fig. 3 is a view in rear elevation of the image receiver at the director station.

Fig. 4 is a plan view partly in section of the image receiver.

Referring to the diagram of Fig. 1 the problem is to observe an object or target T from a director station D through the instrumentality of widely separated observing units at the opposite ends R and L of a base line of known length and to control the positioning of the observing units'from the director station D.

The observing units are identical and each consists of a television eye or camera 5 adapted to register an image of the target T and transmit it through a. transmission system C and an amplifying station 6 to a receiver l at the director station.

The camera is mounted for movement in elevation on trunnions 8 which are carried by a support 9 which is mounted for movement in azimuth. The support is rotated in azimuth by a self-synchronous system (known commercially as a selsyn system) for the transmission of angucentering against a reference line Il on the window.

The transmitting motors I II I produce movements which are representative of the angular relation of the right and left cameras with re spect to the base line. These movements are utilized in a plotting system which includes a board I8 `carrying a range chart I9 and an azimuth scale 20, both based on the position of a pin 2| which represents the direct station D. An azimuth reading arm 22 adapted to indicate on the scale 20 has a slot 23 for receiving the pin 2|.

A pair of arms 24 and 25, mounted on pivots 26 and 2l respectively representing the cameras at R and L, have slots 28 and 28 for receiving a pin 30 on the arm 22. The arms 24 and 25 are rotated about their ypivots by gearing 3| and 32 respectively driven from the right and left transmitting motors I I of the selsyn system.

When the right and left transmitting motors II--II are actuated to direct the cameras onto the target T, the arms 24 and 25 will be rotated a proportionate amount and will represent the r lines R. T and L T so that the point of their intersection represented by the pin 30 will indicate the relative position of the target on the pointing system. 'Ihe range from D to T is read from the chart I9 and the azimuth position of T with respect to D is read from the scale 20.

The operator of the receiver 'I at the director station actuates the hand controls I2 of the motors I I and causes the cameras to sweep the iield until they are both directed at the same object or target.

'Ihe movement of the cameras in elevation is preferably controlled by operatorsat the camera stations in order to avoid duplication or the selsyn systems. When the images at the receiver are in registration, the azimuth bearing and the range of the target from the director station are indicated by the plotting system. In accordance with well known practice the future position of the target may be predicted.

We claim.

1. In apparatus of the class described, a pair.

of spaced television cameras, a television receiver lfor retracing the images of the cameras and presenting themfor lcomparison, systems for the transmission of angular movements whereby the observer of the images at the receiver controls the movement of the cameras, and a plotting system including pivoted arms actuated by the transmitter motor of the selsyn systems.

2. In apparatus of the class described, a pair RICHARD H. SOMERS. JAIVIES L. GUION. JAMES C. KARNES. 

